Headlamp Beam Deflectors - SV650.org

03-04-05, 09:17 PM

Hi,

Just a quickie............I'm off to France for 5 days in May for the Moto GP at Le Mans. Regarding the topic of this mail - does anyone really bother with them on bikes & are they available ?
Does the law require them to be used on bikes

embee · 03-04-05, 11:20 PM

I'm pretty sure the rules have been altered so that bikes do not require beam deflectors. I couldn't remember where I'd seen it written, but have just found this (see item 4)

http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/ov...equipment.html

Anyway, in reality the French are very easy going on this sort of thing (compared to some countries), and I'd say the majority of UK bikes going there don't bother.

I usually use black pvc tape over the dip area, partly just to minimise annoyance and partly that it just might get me noticed. The glue goes manky after a while so when you peel it off it's very gooey, but WD40 gets it off a treat.

Main things to have are your original documents (I keep a copy aswell), spare specs if you wear them, and I'd suggest some form of emergency puncture kit. If you're in the middle of nowhere and it's persisting down and getting dark and you get a flat, you just want something to get you to a town.

04-04-05, 07:32 AM

I rode to Le Mans last year. I didn't bother with beam deflectors. Like Embee says get all your documents together. It is mostly main roads to Le Mans unless you want to get off the beaten track. There are loads of really excellent roads in that area. Enjoy.

04-04-05, 05:48 PM

That's great and thanks. I think I'll go for the black tape option as It'll have other uses......Don't know whether to take original docs (V5, Ins Cert, MOT Cert, E111) or photocopies ? Any ideas as its a real pain if the originals to get lost........

embee · 04-04-05, 09:21 PM

Legally you must take the originals.

I don't bother with the MOT (don't think it means anything internationally anyway!)

I also carry a photocopy of each (V5 main part anyway, it's bigger than A4), and keep a photocopy at home in case. That way you've got all the serial nos etc if anything gets lost. Haven't lost anything in over 20yrs of touring (he says.........

)

You used to be able to get a duplicate V5 for such purposes (at a cost) from the DVLA, not sure if this is still available??

It's recommended that a photocopy of your insurance cert to hand over in the event of a mishap can ease proceedings somewhat.

Try the DVLA website.

Most bike tourers use some sort of bum-bag or similar for all the critical docs etc, so it need never leave your side (or bum).

03-04-05, 09:17 PM	#1
Banus Guest Posts: n/a	Headlamp Beam Deflectors Hi, Just a quickie............I'm off to France for 5 days in May for the Moto GP at Le Mans. Regarding the topic of this mail - does anyone really bother with them on bikes & are they available ? Does the law require them to be used on bikes

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03-04-05, 11:20 PM	#2
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,804	I'm pretty sure the rules have been altered so that bikes do not require beam deflectors. I couldn't remember where I'd seen it written, but have just found this (see item 4) http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/ov...equipment.html Anyway, in reality the French are very easy going on this sort of thing (compared to some countries), and I'd say the majority of UK bikes going there don't bother. I usually use black pvc tape over the dip area, partly just to minimise annoyance and partly that it just might get me noticed. The glue goes manky after a while so when you peel it off it's very gooey, but WD40 gets it off a treat. Main things to have are your original documents (I keep a copy aswell), spare specs if you wear them, and I'd suggest some form of emergency puncture kit. If you're in the middle of nowhere and it's persisting down and getting dark and you get a flat, you just want something to get you to a town.

04-04-05, 07:32 AM	#3
Scoobs Guest Posts: n/a	I rode to Le Mans last year. I didn't bother with beam deflectors. Like Embee says get all your documents together. It is mostly main roads to Le Mans unless you want to get off the beaten track. There are loads of really excellent roads in that area. Enjoy.

04-04-05, 05:48 PM	#4
Banus Guest Posts: n/a	That's great and thanks. I think I'll go for the black tape option as It'll have other uses......Don't know whether to take original docs (V5, Ins Cert, MOT Cert, E111) or photocopies ? Any ideas as its a real pain if the originals to get lost........

04-04-05, 09:21 PM	#5
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,804	Legally you must take the originals. I don't bother with the MOT (don't think it means anything internationally anyway!) I also carry a photocopy of each (V5 main part anyway, it's bigger than A4), and keep a photocopy at home in case. That way you've got all the serial nos etc if anything gets lost. Haven't lost anything in over 20yrs of touring (he says......... ) You used to be able to get a duplicate V5 for such purposes (at a cost) from the DVLA, not sure if this is still available?? It's recommended that a photocopy of your insurance cert to hand over in the event of a mishap can ease proceedings somewhat. Try the DVLA website. Most bike tourers use some sort of bum-bag or similar for all the critical docs etc, so it need never leave your side (or bum).